1st Six Weeks: Preparation

Hello,

As you may have heard us mention in the past, the First Six Weeks of the fall semester on your campus are the most important time of the whole year. It is during these weeks that most students make the decision of how they will spend their time, who their friends will be and what organizations they will join. That is why it is such a significant time for you and the ministry God has entrusted to you on your campus.

Ephesians 5:15-16 "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

We need to be strategic in how we use this unique opportunity for impact on our campuses. Over the next few weeks we’ll give you some tips on how to make the most of your First Six Weeks. Keep some of these tips in mind:

1) If you have others that help lead the ministry on your campus, get in contact with them now, begin praying and preparing for the semester ahead.
2) Decide when your first meeting/Bible Study will be (the earlier the better, the first week of classes is best).
3) Is the room reserved that you want for the whole semester?
4) Publicity, Publicity, Publicity…. Who is going to make some posters to advertise your meeting/Bible Study? Who will put them up and when are you going to put them up (before classes begin, or on the first day!)
5) Are you giving out any materials or resources? If so, make sure you have a table reserved and line up people to help out. Once again, try to do it during those first weeks of school.
6) How will you use your materials to maximize their value? Consider designing or downloading a survey and have people fill them out when they receive free materials, survival kits or music download cards from your table on campus. Then divide up the contacts and get back to those who expressed interest in learning more about God. Keep some to give to friends and first-timers at meetings
7) When are the ministry leaders going to get together to plan and pray?
8) How will you build community? How will you welcome new people?
9) Who are some of the younger students in your ministry that you can get to help out, and to begin developing into your next leaders?
10) What will your first meeting look like? Will you have music, snacks? How will you make new people feel welcome? What will you do for your Bible Study time? What will you study?

Hopefully these tips will inspire you, not overwhelm you!

In Christ,
John & Melissa Mitchell, Mike Peckham & Roe Brooks